ANALYSIS OF IMPACT OF COMMUNAL ACTIVITIES ON GROUND WATER QUALITY FROM HAND DUG WELLS IN SHERE VILLAGE, ABUJA NIGERIA

Hand-dug wells are the predominant sources of drinking water in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas. However, hand-dug dug wells are highly vulnerable to contamination bearing a myriad of health consequences. This study evaluated the quality of groundwater from 20 hand-dug wells in Shere rural community of Bwari area council in Abuja, Nigeria; by analysing pertinent physical, chemical, and microbial parameters. The relationship between the monitored water quality parameters and the hand-dug well depth was evaluated using Pearson product correlation coefficient (r) at 1% and 5% levels of significance, and a sanitary risk assessment was conducted for the sampled wells. Parameters occurring in concentrations considered unsafe based on comparison with Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality and World Health Organization Standards revealed percentages of samples above limits as Turbidity (15%); Cadmium (70%); Lead (40%); Manganese (55%); Chromium (55%); Nickel (100%); Salmonella sp. (20%); E. coli (80%); Pseudomonas sp. (25%) and Shigella sp. (30%). r matrix shows that only a few significant correlations exist among the monitored water quality parameters at both 5% and 1% levels of significance, but no significant correlation exists between the monitored parameters and the depth of the wells. The sanitary risk assessment revealed that 16 (80%) of the monitored wells have high contamination risk factors. Our findings revealed that water in Shere should be treated before consumption, and the community should be sensitized on the effects of poor sanitary practices around the wells and its environment to minimize sanitary risk factors.